Holly Ren Morris
Associate
Holly “Ren” Morris is an associate in the Labor & Employment Law Department. Their practice focuses on defending companies in all aspects of employment litigation.
Ren earned their J.D. from Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, where they worked for the Bluhm Legal Clinic Center on Wrongful Convictions, served on the Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology and assisted in death eligible murder cases for the Mississippi Office of Capital Defense.
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As we have previously noted, effective January 1, 2020, the Illinois Human Rights Act requires Illinois employers to provide employees with sexual harassment prevention training by December 31, 2020, and on at least an annual basis thereafter. Such training must comport with the minimum requirements established by the Illinois Department of Human Rights’ (“IDHR”) model … Continue Reading
On November 17, 2020, the Seventh Circuit held that allegations that a defendant violated Section 15(a) of the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (“BIPA”), 740 ILCS § 14/1, et seq.—which requires an employer that collects biometric information from its employees to develop, publicly disclose and comply with a data-retention schedule and guidelines for permanent destruction … Continue Reading
The proposed Chicago COVID-19 Anti-Retaliation Ordinance (the “Ordinance”) that was the subject of our post on April 27, 2020, has now become law. The Ordinance prohibits Chicago employers from retaliating against employees for obeying a public health order requiring an employee to remain at home as a consequence of COVID-19. This reflects a growing trend among … Continue Reading
The Illinois House of Representatives recently introduced House Bill 5769, which would create the Illinois Personal Protective Equipment Responsibility Act (the “Act”). The Act would require “essential employers” to provide personal protective equipment (“PPE”) to both employees and independent contractors. The Act defines an “essential employer” as an employer engaged in an “essential business” as … Continue Reading
The State of Illinois has taken strong measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Recognizing the impact of COVID-19 on the State of Illinois, on March 20, 2020, the Governor first issued Executive Order 2020-10 directing Illinois citizens to stay at home. The Governor has since issued Executive Orders 2020-32 and 2020-33 extending most of … Continue Reading
On April 22, 2020, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, with the backing of several Aldermen, introduced the COVID-19 Anti-Retaliation Ordinance (the “Ordinance”), which, if enacted, would prohibit Chicago employers from retaliating against employees for obeying a public health order requiring an employee to remain at home as a consequence of COVID-19. This reflects a growing trend … Continue Reading
Due to the sudden economic turbulence resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, employers have been exploring ways to temporarily reduce operating costs. Many employers are seeking alternatives to layoffs. Such alternatives may include reductions in pay and hours of work, furloughs and shutdowns of operations, and work share programs. The following identifies the legal and practical … Continue Reading
On July 31, 2019, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed into law House Bill 834 (the “Bill”), which amends the Illinois Equal Pay Act of 2003 (“IEPA”) to prohibit employers from inquiring into a job applicant’s salary history. The law becomes effective on September 29, 2019. Prohibition on Salary History Inquiries Illinois’s new ban on salary … Continue Reading
Illinois will soon become the eleventh state to legalize the recreational use of marijuana. On June 25, 2019, Governor Pritzker signed into effect House Bill 1438—the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act (“CRTA”). The CRTA, which is set to take effect on January 1, 2020, leaves some open questions for employers, but there are a few … Continue Reading
On April 11, 2019, the Illinois state Senate voted to pass Senate Bill 1829, also known as the Workplace Transparency Act (the “Act”). If passed by the House of Representatives, the Act would impose new requirements and limitations on Illinois employers with respect to harassment and discrimination claims. The following are the Act’s key features. … Continue Reading
On January 23, 2019, the Seventh Circuit held that the ADEA’s prohibition of disparate impact discrimination do not extend to job applicants. Kleber v. CareFusion Corp., No. 17-cv-1206. In Kleber, a 58-year-old attorney unsuccessfully applied for a General Counsel position within the Company’s law department. The job posting required applicants to have fewer than seven … Continue Reading
As 2018 draws to a close, state and local lawmakers in Illinois have been passing legislation that will further regulate a variety of employers’ practices. Here is a look at what Illinois employers can expect in 2019. New Laws Effective January 1, 2019 Employee Reimbursement for Business Expenses – An amendment to the Illinois Wage … Continue Reading
On November 20, 2018, the Illinois Supreme Court heard oral argument on whether a company’s technical violation of the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (“BIPA”) is sufficient to confer standing or whether a plaintiff must allege actual harm resulted from the violation. Rosenbach v. Six Flags Entertainment Corp. et al., No. 123186. The Court’s forthcoming … Continue Reading
December 31, 2020 Deadline Looms for Illinois Employers to Conduct Sexual Harassment Training
Seventh Circuit Clarifies Scope of Article III Standing Under Illinois BIPA
UPDATE: Chicago City Council Introduces COVID-19 Anti-Retaliation Ordinance, Reflecting Growing Trend
Illinois May Soon Require “Essential Employers” to Provide PPE for Workers
By Steven J. Pearlman, Edward Young, Caralyn M. Olie and Holly Ren Morris on Posted in Coronavirus, Workplace Policies and Procedures
Responding to COVID-19: Illinois Specific Considerations For Employers
Chicago City Council Introduces COVID-19 Anti-Retaliation Ordinance, Reflecting Growing Trend
By Steven J. Pearlman, Edward Young and Holly Ren Morris on Posted in Coronavirus
Cost-Saving Alternatives to Layoffs During the COVID-19 Pandemic
By Steven J. Pearlman, Kramer Rice, Dominique Kilmartin, Cole Lewis, Jordan Glassberg, Randall Bunnell, Holly Ren Morris and Elizabeth Dailey on Posted in Coronavirus
Illinois Bans Salary History Inquiries
Illinois Legalizes Recreational Marijuana: Impact on Employers
By Steven J. Pearlman, Edward Young, Caralyn M. Olie and Holly Ren Morris on Posted in Workplace Policies and Procedures
Impactful Sexual Harassment Bill Passes Illinois Senate
By Steven J. Pearlman and Holly Ren Morris on Posted in Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation
Seventh Circuit Limits ADEA Protections for Job Applicants
2019 Brings Employment Law Changes for Illinois Employers
Illinois Supreme Court To Decide Scope of BIPA
By Steven J. Pearlman, Edward Young and Holly Ren Morris on Posted in Workplace Policies and Procedures
